Kathmandu, July 17
Nepali athletes departing for the Paris Olympics 2024 were honoured with a farewell from Jean-Baptiste Lesec, the acting French Ambassador to Nepal, at a ceremony held in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
Seven athletes will represent Nepal at the Paris Olympics. However, table tennis player Santoo Shrestha and swimmers Alexander Shah and Duana Lama were absent from the ceremony as they are currently abroad. The farewell event was attended by athletes Santosh Shrestha (athletics), Manita Shrestha (judo), Sushmita Nepal (shooting), and Prince Dahal (badminton).
Prominent figures at the event included Jeevan Ram Shrestha, President of the Nepal Olympic Committee, General Secretary Nilendra Raj Shrestha, Member Secretary of the National Sports Council Tanka Lal Ghising, coaches, and various officials from the French Embassy.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate the Olympians on their remarkable journey and selection to represent the country at the Paris Olympics. Your time has come. This is a proud moment for your friends, family, and the entire nation,” said Lesec during the farewell event. He added, “You are deserving of this. Not only this, but you will also be capable throughout your lives.”
He emphasised that success in sports is never due to one individual alone, highlighting the crucial roles of coaches and support staff. “Sports are part of our education. With great power comes great responsibility,” he stated.
Jeevan Ram Shrestha, President of the Nepal Olympic Committee, mentioned that the ambassador’s farewell would further motivate the athletes.
The Paris Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11. Santoo Shrestha qualified through a selection competition, while the other six athletes will participate via wild card entries. Santoo Shrestha became the third Nepali athlete to qualify for the Olympics by defeating his compatriot Sanyog Kapali in the final of the selection competition held in Nepal two months ago.
Following in the footsteps of taekwondo athletes Sangina Vaidya in 2004 and Deepak Bista in 2008, Santoo is the third Nepali athlete to qualify for the Olympics through selection. To date, Nepali athletes have not won any medals at the Olympics.
